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Description

The ActRaiser's back, and it's sharper than ever. Continuing the story of a holy guardian who'll stop at nothing to rid the world of demons, ActRaiser 2 is side-scrolling heaven on SNES earth!

Demonic Destiny

Weighing in at a fairly hefty 12 megs, ActRaiser 2 is packed with more than enough action, striking graphics, and masterful music to satisfy fans of the original game. Although the controls could have been more precise and the challenge a little more down-to-earth, this sequel's an eyebrow-Raiser.

ProTip: Press L or R while walking and you'll stand still in a defensive stance.

The demon Tanzra just can't keep his bloody claws off your world, and now he's been revived by his 13 loyal demons. This terrible tag team has split up and spread war, famine, and natural disaster to 14 cities, meaning you've got 14 demon stalking Acts ahead of you!

To beat the Benefic Snake Mid-Boss, block with the Shield, wait for a Fireball, strike, and then immediately hold up the Shield again.

As the World Bums

Although the role-playing Populous-style segment has been cut from Act 2, you still get a spectacular overhead view of the world, and you can cruise through the sky in your Air Palace in search of demons. You control three altitudes with the L and R keys, and Mode 7 zooms you in for a close-up of the surface or zooms you out for the big picture. When you find a hotspot, the game transports you to side-slashing action.

Stand on the platform to avoid getting swept away by the current, then pound on the Benefic's Snail Boss with magic.

Unlike other hack-em-ups, ActRaiser 2 has a surprisingly captivating story line. In one sequence, a beautiful Queen, who was jealous of your powers, betrayed you to the demons. Her corruption was her downfall, however, and the demons blasted her kingdom to the bottom of the sea. You must slay the Queen and her foul horde to save the innocent civilians and restore the land to its natural state.

Pain is in the eyes of the beholder! You must cut this bugger down to size by hopping back and forth between platforms and hacking away at his pupils.

A Wing and a Slayer

This time, the Master (your character) is all decked out with a spiffy pair of Pegasus-style wings to add frills to his solid arsenal of cold steel and magic. He can glide like the breeze, and even sword-slash while gliding! Unfortunately, the glide controls are hard to pick up and not totally reliable, though this doesn't hurt the game too much.

Make short, precise Glide jumps to survive when the rock platforms give way in the Almetha Volcano.

Overall the action is excellent in ActRaiser 2, but there is some painful slowdown when too many enemies crowd the screen. In fact the game seems to move a bit slowly in general -- a dashing move would have been a nice addition to pick up the pace.

The Queen of Altheria's got a fire of jealousy you'll need to put out.

If a fire embankment looks like it's in the foreground, play it safe and soar over it.

A Hard Act to Follow

With the return of big-name composer Yuzo Koshiro to the Copyright Screen, one expects nothing less than audio excellence. Those expectations are almost completely fulfilled. The classical-sounding scores rock during battles and soothe the savage beast during times of tranquility. The only major letdown is the rerun of some tracks and effects from the first Act.

Gluttony's one hungry demon. Too bad his mouth is so wide that you can fit a sword down his gullet.

The visuals are a big, bold step in the right direction. While the hero's character sprite could have been larger, that's not a concern you'll have with the horrific-looking demons. The background textures are exquisite, and the amount of art crammed into this 12-megger is astonishing.

A Hard Act to Finish

Passwords and unlimited continues are your tickets back into the game if and when you die. Even Easy Mode is hard, but don't let that deter you from taking your best shot. The rewards are well worth it. Don't pass up this game just because you don't understand the name. When all is said and done, you'll kick yourself if you miss Act 2.

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User Reviews

Manufacturer: Enix

Machine: Super NES

Theme: Action

Release: 1993

People say:

9

Being the sequel to one of the most popular of the Super NES lineup, you'd expect it to remain relatively the same. I was slightly disappointed by the fact that the overhead scenes were taken out, but if you go beyond that and look at it as an action game - it' great! The only problems (that are apparent) are that the controls need to get used to and the game is filled with lots of one-hit deaths. Still a decent game.

8

This game is quite a shock. I was thrilled with the original ActRaiser and thought it couldn't be beat - until now! This cart is packed with beautiful graphics, killer sound and enough action to keep anyone happy for days. I do miss the overhead scenes from the original, but this one will do nicely. The only problem I had with the game was the awkward control to fly. It does take a while to get used to.

9

This cart is absolutely phenomenal! The graphic and audio quality of this game is a total step above the original. The screen explodes with detail backgrounds, huge animated Bosses and vivid colors. Look for tons of hidden techniques and strategies because the game play is as good as gold. The game is very hard, but, if you're game, this one will offer the challenges that veteran gamers have been waiting for.

9

From the opening music, reminiscent of the original ActRaiser, you just know this game is going to be special, and Act Raiser 2 didn't disappoint. Everything in this game is exceptional - from the hauntingly beautiful music to the graphics - this is a game you'd be proud to add to any collection. The city's buildings scenes are gone so it's all action, but there is enough new combat skills involved to compensate.

reggie posted a review

Manufacturer: Enix

Machine: Super NES

reggie posted a review

Enix's superb action/role-playing game, ActRaiser, was one of the few shining SNES stars in 1991.

Lights, Camera, Act-ion!

ActRaiser 2 is a straight-up hack-and-slash game. If you're a big fan of ActRaiser 1's RPG segment, however, tough noogies. This sequel has more of what made its predecessor a superstar: top-flight side- scrolling, beautiful backgrounds, and ear-tingling, orchestrated music by master composer, Yuzo Koshiro.

Like all good demons, that bad boy Tanzra's out for blood after getting his keister kicked in the last game. Fortunately, our ActRaisin' hero has more moves and magic than last time. He can now hover, glide, fly, and dive with his feathery Pegasus-style wings.

He'll need all the help he can get to conquer over 60 levels (divided into seven stages). Each level's packed with monsters, mini-bosses, and more.

reggie posted a review

ActRaiser 2 is a 12-megabit cartridge sequel to the popular and original ActRaiser. This side-scrolling platform game begins with the universe taken over by evil demons. The Master - who is the player, is battling with Tanzra - who is tattered and fallen into the underworld. In this sequel, he now vows to get revenge and unleashed demons on the world. At the final staged level, the player battles against a mechanically engineered god in the City of Humbleton. The player slays the first six deadly sins and then fights the final sin, Pride – during which time the Tower of Babel appears. Then the player will enter Hell to fight the seven sins again, as well as, Tanzra. During the final credits of the game, it declares that the Master will live forever. This action filled, single player game is a classical story of good versus evil. With its divine environments that place the player right in the middle of the action,
ActRaiser 2 has dynamic sound and graphics, as well as, challenges your fighting skills with its evil boss characters.